Last time we returned views to Pai-Mey and The Dadga Khan. Just before they were about to send another group of demons to attack Will and the others, the process was interrupted by three intruders; thee homunculi with the names Envy, Lust and Gluttony. The homunculus named Lust warned Pai-Mey and The Dadga Khan to stay away from Ed and Al. The homunculi then demonstrated their power, then left. On with the show!

Chapter 13: The Brothers Elric

"I am so bored!" whined Irma, "Can't this train go any faster?" After the first day on their trip north the Guardians and the boys were suffering from cabin fever, especially Irma. The exception was Eric who was excelling under the tutelage of Ed and Al. "This is beyond belief," said Ed, "In one day, you've learned what takes years to do so, sometimes decades."

"I told you I'm a fast learner," said Eric, "Now when the demons show up next I can do my fair share of the fighting for once." "He's serious," said Caleb to Matt, "He really wants to be more involved. "I just thought he was trying to get back together with Hay Lin," said Matt. "Not likely," said Martin, "From what I've heard, she's all but engaged to Rock Lee."

"That reminds me," said Matt, "What's this I hear about Irma being nice to you for a change? You didn't happen to brainwash her or something?" "I would never brainwash Irma!" exclaimed Martin, "I don't need to; I've got enough male charm to do the job. Besides, my brainwashing invention won't be ready for at least six months. Then I shall rule the world!" "I hope he's joking," said Caleb. "Oh he's joking," said Nigel, "Or at least I hope he's joking."

Meanwhile Will was just about to ask Ed something that's been on her mind. "I don't mean to sound rude, Ed," said Will, "But I've been wanting to ask you something. You told us that you lost your limbs and Al lost his body because of a mistake, that you're trying to get what was lost back by a Philosopher's Stone. What I want to know, and you don't have to tell us if you don't want to, is what was that mistake?"

"I'd like to know that as well," said Matt, "What kind of mistake was so great as to cost you your limbs and Al his entire body?" Ed sighed before saying, "I knew you were gonna ask that sooner or later. I'll tell you, if you're okay with it, Al." "I'm fine with telling our story, brother," said Al, "I'll tell my part, but you'll have to fill in on the parts that I don't remember."

"Okay then," said Ed, "It's a long story, good thing we've got about a day to go before we reach our destination." Al then began: "I guess the whole thing began when our father left home, leaving our mother to raise us alone. Our mom, Trisha, was the most kind and caring person I've ever known." "While our dad," interrupted Ed, "Hohenheim, was a complete jerk!" "Dad wasn't a jerk," said Al. "He was a jerk for walking our on us and mom," said Ed, "If I ever see that creep again, I'm gonna bash his brains in!"

I can identify with Ed, thought Will, There are times when I have issues with my dad. "Anyway," continued Al, "My brother and I displayed a natural talent for Alchemy. When I was five and my brother 6 we could use alchemic techniques that take years to perfect. We mostly used Alchemy for trivial things like making toys and ornaments. Our mom was delighted that we inherited dad's talent for Alchemy.

"Then one day the unthinkable happened; our mom became gravely ill. The doctors said it was only a matter of time before the end, so my brother and I wrote to several people our dad knew, hoping that one of them would find dad and tell him to come home before it was too late."

"We never got a single reply," said Ed, "And before we knew it mom died. It was like someone ripped out my heart and then put it back in upside-down, mom was everything to us."

"We didn't know what to do," said Al, "I was 9 and Ed 10. How were we to carry on alone? That's when my brother and I decided to do something about the situation; we would use Alchemy to bring mom back."

"When you mean bring her back?" asked Taranee, "You mean restore her body to life?" "No," said Ed, "We would make her a new body and then restore her soul to that body. Al and I spent the next year learning every thing we could about Alchemy. We finally thought we knew enough to create life." He pulled out from his coat pocked a well-worn notebook that had several bookmarks in it. Ed opened the book to a page and read from it:

"Water 35 liters; carbon 20 kilograms; ammonia 4 liters; lime 1.5 kilograms; phosphorus 800 grams; salt 250 grams; saltpeter 100 grams; sulfur 80 grams; fluorine 7.5 grams; iron 5 grams; silicon 3 grams; and trace amounts of 15 other elements," he closed the book and returned it to his pocket, "That's the chemical makeup of the average human adult."

"We didn't care about the consequences of what we were doing," said Al, "It is forbidden to attempt human transmutation of any kind, wither altering a human to make him or her better or to bring the dead back to life. We didn't care; all we wanted was mom back. We had all the ingredients ready; the transmutation circle was drawn with every detail. We thought we could do it, that we could really bring mom back. What my brother and I did wrong was underestimate the price we would pay."

"Al and I thought that a few drops of our blood was enough to create life," said Ed, "We thought that the pain of mom's death was enough of a price to bring her soul back. We were wrong. Once a transmutation circle has been activated the Alchemy must finish it's task, the small amount of blood we used wasn't enough, so we paid in full; I had my left leg taken away, Al lost his entire body. I was then prepared to pay with my life to save Al from disappearing all together. It was my idea in the first place to bring mom back, I didn't want Al to suffer for my obsession. I ended up paying with my right arm to keep Al's soul in this existence."

"What about your mom?" asked Caleb, "I guess it didn't work." "In a way it did," said Ed, "Al and I had succeeded in creating life where there was none before. The result was alive, but less than human. I didn't see what happened next, I had passed out from the loss of blood. But as far as I know, what Al and I created that night died before morning, and I hope it did."

"That is the mistake we made," said Al, "We underestimated the price of creating life. Now my brother and I are trying to atone for that mistake by making a Philosopher's Stone without the need for human sacrifice."

"I can't even begin to imagine the level of suffering you two have gone through," said Hay Lin, "Having your dad walk out on you, your mom taken away, that would be more than I could handle."

"You two boys have suffered," said Guts, "But there are levels of suffering beyond your darkest nightmares." "Let me guess," said Nigel, "You've experienced them." "Not all of them," said Guts, "But a good many of them." "Care to tell us about it?" asked Irma. "I've been wondering about that," said Matt, "Just how did you lose your arm and eye?"

Guts was about to answer when he suddenly tensed, his right hand flying to his neck. When he pulled his hand away the palm had some blood on it. Half a second later the train shuddered, the brakes' screeching like there was no tomorrow. Once the train had stopped, Ed rushed to a wall mounted telephone, "What happened?" he yelled into the receiver. He got his answer and hung up, "There's a huge demon sitting on the tracks," said Ed, "Its just sitting there chewing on a cow."

Will and the others got off the train to see the demon. It was over forty feet tall, covered in yellow scales, with a bird-like face and insect claws. "This won't take long," said Guts as he unsheathed his sword. "Wait," said Will, "It's just sitting there." "So?" asked Guts. "So not every confrontation with a demon has to end with a fight," said Hay Lin, "Perhaps we can talk to this one."

"It's a f#ck$ng demon," said Guts, "If we don't kill it now it'll just go on a rampage and we'll have to deal with it later." "It won't hurt to try to talk to it," said Will, "Irma, you go talk to it."

"Why me?" asked Irma. "Because you're a nice person who's in an extra good mood today," said Cornelia. "I don't think so," said Irma, "And before you say it, I don't care anymore if you tell my parents about the incident with Andrew Hornby. Nor do I care if everyone at school knows about it. You can't blackmail me with that incident any more, Miss Oh So Blond and Pretty, I just don't give a damn."

"That may be true," said Taranee, "But I seem to remember another incident, one which occurred at the start of the school year. You wanted to try out for cheerleading and twisted your ankle just before tryouts." "I remember," said Irma, "So what?" "So," said Taranee, "I have pictures of you practicing in front of your mirror, pictures which might be rather compromising if they were to be circulated at school."

Irma glared at Taranee before saying, "'Et tu', Taranee? All right, I'll do it, but on two conditions. One; Hay Lin comes with me." "Why?" asked Hay Lin. "Because it would make me feel better if someone I can trust was with me. Two; the second, and I mean the second we get home, you," she pointed at Taranee, "Are gonna rip up those pictures and burn the negatives, understood?" "Understood," said Taranee.

"Okay then," said Irma, "Let's do this." She and Hay Lin slowly walked towards the demon. They shortly were joined by Martin. "Why are you doing this with us?" asked Irma. "I feel that you've been mistreated," said Martin, "I would never blackmail you for anything. I just want you to feel better. Oh by the way, it's a shame you missed cheerleading tryouts, you would have been great."

"You think so?" asked Irma. "You bet," said Martin, "And you would have looked incredible in a cheerleading outfit, a goddess." "I have this distinct feeling that I'm about to lose my bet with Elyon," said Cornelia to herself.

Meanwhile Hay Lin, Irma and Martin had reached the demon. "It looks a lot bigger up close," said Hay Lin, "Well, go on Irma, Talk to it." "Okay then," said Irma. She cleared her throat before yelling up to the demon, "Hey! You up there! Would you mind moving so we can get going down here? We're running late somewhat!"

The demon stopped chewing it's meat, stood up from the tracks and looked down at Irma. "Are you a Guardian?" it asked in an oddly high-pitched voice. "Um," said Irma, "Yes." "THEN DIE!" roared the demon as it shot a dark red energy beam from its claws towards Irma. Martin barely pulled her out of the way.

Meanwhile Ed and Al had rushed towards the demon, followed by Guts, his sword drawn and ready. Before either of them reached the demon, it began to sink into the ground. Puzzled, Ed and Al looked behind them to see Eric, a piece of chalk in his hand. He had drawn a circle on the ground, a circle with several symbols in it.

"What did you do?" asked Will as she and the others caught up. "I used Alchemy to change the ground the demon was standing on; I changed it from solid to quicksand." "You are a fast learner," said Ed.

"Irma," said Hay Lin, "The next time a demon asks if you're a Guardian, it might be a good idea to say no." "I'll keep that in mind," said Irma as she looked at Martin, who was looking back at her. "I thought you were going to die," said Martin. "I probably would have," said Irma, "If you hadn't pulled me out of the way. I guess I owe you." "You could say that," said Martin. They moved closer to each other. First Martin closed his eyes, the Irma. Times seemed to slow down as their lips touched.

"Oh my god," said Taranee, "It finally happened!" After about ten seconds Irma and Martin broke their kiss. "I really do care about you, Irma," said Martin. "I care about you to," said Irma. She suddenly burst into laughter and shouted, "I love this man! I love him! I love him."

"Better late than never," said Will. She then saw that Cornelia was looking somewhat down. "Why so gloomy? Asked Will, "Aren't you happy for Irma?" "I am happy for Irma," sighed Cornelia, "But it's before Sunday, she couldn't have waited until Monday. I should have known it would turn out this way; fifty bucks down the drain."

Meanwhile in Meridian, Elyon was going over some papers with Vathek when she suddenly smiled for no apparent reason. "Is everything alright my queen?" asked Vathek. "I'm fine," said Elyon, "I've just got this feeling that I've won my bet with Cornelia."

"I don't mean to ruin your good mood, Irma," said Matt, "But the demon is still alive." Indeed the demon was at that time trying to free itself from the Quicksand. "It won't be alive for long," said Guts, "I told you that you just can't talk to these things and expect to get anywhere with them."

As Guts approached the demon, it saw him and glared at him. "You!" exclaimed the demon, "I matters not that you kill me. The God Hand shall receive their long delayed sacrifice soon enough. It is only a matter of time before this world and other worlds fall to glorious chaos!"

"Perhaps," said Guts as he readied his sword, "But you won't be around to see it!" With one swing of his enormous sword, Guts split the demon in half from top to bottom. The remains of the demon shortly dissolved into a puddle of black slime. "Disgusting!" remarked Eric. "I'm still not cleaning that up!" exclaimed Irma.

"What did that demon mean about a long delayed sacrifice?" asked Will as Guts wiped his sword on the ground to get the demon blood off of it.. "And why was your neck bleeding earlier?" asked Taranee. "It's not bleeding now," said Guts as he returned his sword to his back.

"But why was it bleeding in the first place?" asked Caleb. Guts sighed before saying, "Alright, I'll tell you my story, but don't blame me if you have nightmares for the rest of your lives." "I'm not afraid of nightmares," said Ed, "Oh, the train is ready to go again, so let's get aboard already." With that everyone boarded the train and it continued north.

The end of chapter 13. Next chapter, Guts tells his story. Please review and I'll see you next time!